Conveying device, especially a suspended conveying device, and components belonging thereto

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a conveying apparatus, in particular overhead conveying apparatus, for transporting conveyable articles along at least one conveying route ( 2 ). The conveying apparatus comprises a carrying-profile arrangement ( 4 ) which extends along the conveying route and has a running-rail arrangement ( 6 ) for guiding conveyable-article carriers ( 8 ). It is proposed that at least one running rail ( 6 ) of the running-rail arrangement be designed as a running-rail component which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement ( 4 ) and is mounted in a floating manner on the carrying-profile arrangement such that, at least in certain areas, it can compensate for a change in length by moving relative to the carrying-profile arrangement.

The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus, in particularoverhead conveying apparatus, for transporting conveyable articles alongat least one conveying route, comprising a carrying-profile arrangementwhich extends along the conveying route and has a running-railarrangement for guiding conveyable-article carriers.

Such a conveying apparatus is known, for example, from EP 0 582 047 A1and EP 0 623 497 B1. A further such conveying apparatus and a set ofassembly profiles for assembling a rail system of the overhead conveyingapparatus is known from EP 0 623 530 A1. FIG. 1 of EP 0 623 530 A1 showsa typical carrying profile with an integral running rail and integralguide for a frictional-belt drive. The carrying profile is an extrudedaluminum profile. Said carrying-profile component makes it possible, inparticular in conjunction with the rest of the system components shownin EP 0 623 530 A1, to construct high-performance conveying apparatuses.In contrast to the exemplary embodiments explained in EP 0 623 530 A1,it is also considered, at the end of the Offenlegungsschrift, to fastena separate rail on a carrying profile (carrier profile) rather thanforming it integrally therewith. No more detail is said in this respect,and it is unclear as to whether the rail is intended to be a rail havinga running surface, that is to say a running rail, which, in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, is formed in a single piece with thecarrying profile. If it is concluded that such a running rail isintended, then it is arguable what is to be achieved by the carryingprofile and the running rail being designed as separate components,since, as will be immediately obvious to the person skilled in the art,the assembly outlay is increased to a considerable extent as a result.

However, it has now unexpectedly been found that the increased assemblyoutlay involved in separate running rails can be accepted as being lessimportant, in relation to the advantages which can be achieved byseparate running rails, if it is ensured that the respective runningrail is mounted on a running-rail arrangement such that, at least incertain areas, compensation for a change in length is made possible. Forthe conveying apparatus mentioned in the introduction, it is proposedaccording to the invention, for this purpose, that at least one runningrail of the running-rail arrangement be designed as a running-railcomponent which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement and ismounted in a floating manner on the carrying-profile arrangement suchthat, at least in certain areas, it can compensate for a change inlength by moving relative to the carrying-profile arrangement.

This is because it has been found that, at least under special useconditions for the conveying apparatus, for example in laundries havingan ambient temperature of from 30° to 40°, temperature-inducedfluctuations in length of the profiles cause problems which can only becontrolled with high outlay by carrying profiles with integral runningrails, whereas fluctuations in length can be controlled considerablymore easily by a conveying apparatus according to the invention, withthe result that, overall, more straight forward handling and even,surprisingly, a higher capacity for loading by transporting loads areachieved. According to the invention, the carryingprofile arrangementmay be assembled such that carrying profiles of the carrying-profilearrangement are assembled with a gap or with an expansion joint betweensuccessive carrying profiles, with the result that it is readilypossible to accommodate the expected changes in length of the carryingprofiles. With a carrying profile comprising an integrated running rail,this would be possible, at most, to a limited extent since gaps orexpansion joints between adjacent carrying profiles, and thus betweenadjacent running-rail portions, render the satisfactory guidance ofconveyable-article carriers difficult. This is because, if no additionalsteps are taken, the conveyablearticle carriers could get caught at thegaps or expansion joints, with the result that a proper continuousconveying operation is not ensured.

According to the invention, in contrast, the separate running rail canbridge expansion joints or gaps between adjacent carrying profiles ofthe carrying-profile arrangement, with the result that theconveyable-article carriers are also guided properly in the region ofthe expansion joints or gaps.

According to the invention, relative changes in length between thecarrying-profile arrangement, on the one hand, and running rail, on theother hand, are controlled by the “floating mounting”, which, at leastin certain areas, makes it possible to compensate for a change in lengthby moving relative to the carryingprofile arrangement. This prevents thesituation where, during changes in temperature, the running rail and/orthe carrying-profile-arrangement portion which bears the running railare subject to a build-up of stressing, which, in particular inconjunction with high conveying loads, could result in a higher level ofwear or in the service life of the relevant components being shortened.A higher loading capacity of the respective conveying route is thusensured at least indirectly.

In order to accommodate, on the one hand, absolute changes in length ofthe at least one running rail and, on the other hand, relative changesin length between the running rail and the running-rail arrangementportion which bears the running rail, it is proposed that therunning-rail component, which is mounted on the carrying-profilearrangement, has at least one free end which can be moved relative tothe carrying-profile arrangement in order to compensate for inparticular temperature-induced-fluctuations in length of therunning-rail component and/or of the at least one carrying profile ofthe carrying-profile arrangement. Accommodating relative changes inlength between a running-rail component, on the one hand, andcarrying-profile arrangement, on the other hand, is important, inparticular, when the carrying profiles of the carrying-profilearrangement and the running-rail components are produced from differentmaterials and the two materials differ in terms of their coefficient ofthermal expansion.

In this context, it is proposed as particularly preferable that the freeend be arranged in the region of a corner-turning deflecting drum forthe conveyablearticle carriers or of a transfer arrangement fortransferring the conveyable-article carries from a first conveying routeto a second conveying route. The arrangement may then be designed suchthat the conveyable-article carriers no longer run over the free end, orthat, as they run over the free end, the conveyable-article carriers areadditionally guided by further guide means, with the result that(relative) fluctuations in length manifested as changes or displacementsin position of the free end along the carrying-profile arrangement arenot problematic as far as the guidance of the conveyable-articlecarriers is concerned.

To be on the safe side, however, it is possible to provide, in theregion of the free end or at some other location of the running-railcomponent, that the running-rail component has at least one firstengagement portion, which is in, or can be brought into, form-fittingengagement with an associated first mating engagement portion of thecarrying-profile arrangement, the first engagement portion and the firstmating engagement portion being provided in order to limit an—inparticular temperature-induced—relative movement between therunning-rail component and carrying-profile arrangement. This measureensures that the running-rail component can only assume well-definedpositions relative to the carrying-profile arrangement. In this context,it is also proposed that the runningrail component be, or be capable ofbeing, secured on the carrying-profile arrangement in a locallynondisplaceable manner at precisely one fastening location. It is alsoensured by this measure, which may be provided as an alternative or inaddition to the position-securing means achieved by the first engagementportion and the first mating engagement portion, that the running railis positioned on the carrying-profile arrangement in a defined manner.

In conjunction with the locally nondisplaceable securing means, it hasbeen found that it is particularly advantageous to provide the fasteninglocation in the region of a fixed bearing for the carrying-profilearrangement and/or in the region of a joint between adjacentrunning-rail components. If the fastening location is provided in theregion of a fixed bearing for the carrying-profile arrangement, thenthat movement of running-rail portions relative to the carrying-profilearrangement which may be necessary for compensating for a change inlength is kept as small as possible. If the fastening location isprovided in the region of a joint between adjacent running-railcomponents, then it is readily possible to ensure that two running-railcomponents following one after the other along the conveying routealways adjoin one another in a flush manner, without a gap beingproduced or the two running-rail components pressing against one anotherto an excessive extent at the joint, with the result that damagingstressing could build up in the conveying route.

In order for the running-rail component to be fastened securely on thecarrying-profile arrangement in a manner which allows the abovedescribed“floating” mounting, it is proposed that the running-rail component hasat least one second engagement portion, which is in, or can be broughtinto, form-fitting engagement with an associated second matingengagement portion of the carrying-profile arrangement. The secondengagement portion and the second mating engagement portion preferablymake it possible for the runningrail component to be fitted into thecarrying-profile arrangement. It is possible here for the fitted-inrunning-rail component to be, or to be capable of being, secured againstdisengagement by means of a bottom-engagement element which engagesbeneath an associated portion of the carrying-profile arrangement.

The running rail and the fastening thereof on the running-railarrangement will usually be designed such that the running rail can beexchanged comparatively easily, for example in order for the conveyingapparatus to be converted for other conveyable-article carriers. In thiscontext, it is proposed as particularly preferred that the runningrailcomponent has an integrated guide for a drive belt, in particularfrictional belt, which is guided along the running rail and serves forcarrying along conveyable-article carriers. As an alternative solution,it is proposed that the running-rail component has an integratedfastening arrangement for fastening a separate guide for a drive belt,in particular frictional belt, which is guided along the running railand serves for carrying along conveyable-article carriers. Bothproposals achieve the situation where the drive belt can also be readilybe exchanged, for example by a drive belt which is designed for carryingalong the new conveyable-article carriers. This means that the conveyingapparatus according to the invention has a particularly secure futuresince it can easily be adapted to new conveying tasks and furtherdevelopments in conveyable-article carriers.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is proposed, for theconveying apparatus mentioned in the introduction or for the conveyingapparatus according to the invention, that, at least in certain areasalong the conveying route, the carrying-profile arrangement has asecuring arrangement for securing the conveyable-article carriersagainst tilting out of a carry-along position relative to therunning-rail arrangement and/or for securing the conveyable-articlecarriers against falling off the running-rail arrangement, the securingarrangement comprising at least one securing-profile component which isseparate from the carrying-profile arrangement and the runningrailarrangement and is fastened releasably, in particular if mounted in afloating manner, on the carrying-profile arrangement. According to thisproposal, on the one hand, straight forward adaptation of the securingarrangement in terms of other conveyable-article carriers is madepossible. On the other hand, the proposed floating mounting achieves thesituation where—as in the case of the running-rail component accordingto the invention—temperature induced changes in length of thesecuring-profile component or of the carrying-profile portion whichbears the securing-profile component do not pose any problems and, inparticular, the securing arrangement can manage without expansion jointsor gaps, at which conveyable-article carriers could get caught, betweensuccessive securing elements. The preferred features of the running-railcomponent according to the invention which have been explained above mayalso be provided correspondingly in the case of the securing-profilecomponent according to the invention; there is no need for the featuresand the advantages thereby achieved to be explained again.

As far as the fastening of the securing-profile component on thecarrying-profile arrangement is concerned, however, it is proposed asparticularly preferred that the securing-profile component be, or becapable of being, latched to the carrying-profile arrangement, ifappropriate snap-fitted therein or thereon.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is proposed thatprovided as drive belt of the conveying apparatus be a drive chain whichcan be driven with a form fit and bears at least one frictional elementfor carrying along conveyable-article carriers along the conveying routewith a friction fit. Such a drive belt is advantageous in so far,firstly, it is possible for the drive belt to be driven with a form fit,by means of a which slippage is avoided and temperature-induced changesin length of the drive belt can be easily controlled. On account of theat least one frictional element, which is borne by the drive chain andis carried along by the same, the conveyable-article carriers may bedriven with a friction fit, which is advantageous in terms of allowingand/or controlling accumulation of conveyable-article carriers. Thedesign of the drive belt as a drive chain with at least one frictionalelement is also of interest for conveying apparatuses with running railswhich are integral with the carrying profiles.

The invention also relates to a carryingprofile component for aconveying apparatus as has been described above, it being possible,according to the invention, for an associated running-rail componentand/or an associated securing-profile component to be fastenedreleasably, in particular mounted in a floating manner, on thecarrying-profile component. If reference is made here to is, or can be,mounted in a floating manner, this is generally intended to mean thatthe relevant component is mounted (in a floating manner) such that, atleast in certain areas, it can compensate for a change in length bymoving relative to the carrying-profile arrangement. Thecarrying-profile component may be designed as has been explained abovein relation to the carrying-profile arrangement.

The invention also relates to a running-rail component for a conveyingapparatus as has been described above, which running-rail component canbe fastened releasably, in particular mounted in a floating manner, onan associated carrying profile. The running-rail component may have therunning-railcomponent features specified above.

The invention also relates to a securing-profile component for aconveying apparatus as has been described above, which securing-profilecomponent can be fastened releasably, in particular mounted in afloating manner, on an associated carrying-profile component. It mayhave the above-explained securing-profile-component features includingthe running-rail-component features transferred to the securing-profilecomponent.

The invention also relates to a set of structural elements for aconveying apparatus as has been described above. The set of structuralelements according to the invention comprises at least onecarrying-profile component according to the invention and at least onerunning-rail component according to the invention and/or at least onesecuring-profile component according to the invention.

The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference toexemplary embodiments shown in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a carrying profile according to theinvention with a separate running-rail component, which is mounted in afloating manner on the carrying profile, and with a securing-profilecomponent snap-fitted on it, a conveyable-article carrier which runs onthe running-rail component being indicated by thin lines;

FIG. 2 shows the carrier profile and the profilelike running-railcomponent from FIG. 1 as separate, non-connected components;

FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of a carrying-profile arrangement with aseparate running-rail component mounted in a floating manner thereon andwith conveyable-article carriers guided on it;

FIG. 4 shows a lateral view which corresponds to FIG. 3 and has a viewof a joint between two running-rail components which follow one afterthe other along the conveying route;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view from above of a conveying route with arunning-rail arrangement and a running-rail component mounted in afloating manner thereon (in contrast to the arrangement according toFIG. 1, the running-rail component from FIG. 5 projects beyond thecarrying-profile arrangement in a lateral transverse direction and canthus be seen from above);

FIG. 6 shows a running-rail component which may be providedalternatively on the carrying profile and has a drive belt in the formof a drive chain; and

FIG. 7 shows a further variant of a running-rail component which may beprovided on the carrying profile instead of the component from FIG. 2and which has a drive belt which is formed by a drive chain with atleast one frictional element provided thereon.

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a carrying and conveyingarrangement 2 of a conveying route for transporting conveyable articlesby means of conveyable-article carriers according to an exemplaryembodiment of a conveying apparatus according to the invention. Thecarrying and conveying apparatus 2 comprises a carrying profile 4,preferably an extruded aluminum profile, on which a running rail 6,designed as a separate component, is provided in a releasable manner.Running on the running rail (preferably likewise an extruded aluminumprofile) are conveyable-article carriers 8, of which one is illustratednonsectionally by thin lines in FIG. 1. The conveyable-article carrieris secured against falling off the running rail 6 by a securing profile10 designed as a separate component. The securing profile 10 is likewiseprovided releasably on the carrying profile 4, to be precise it issnap-fitted onto the carrying profile 4 or latched to the same, as isindicated at 12.

The carrying profile 4 has screw-connection recesses 14 which serve forfastening further system components. Thus, the screw-connection recesses14 which are arranged on the other side of the carrying profile 4, inrelation to the running rail 6, are intended, for example, for retainingmotor supports. Furthermore, the carrying profile 4 has centeringchannels 16, which can accommodate centering elements, for examplecentering rods or the like, in order to ensure proper alignment of thecarrying profiles, for example, at transition locations betweencarrying-profile components which follow one after the other along theconveying route. In order to be able to accommodate changes in length,which are usually temperature-induced, the successive carrying profilesmay be assembled with a gap between them, with the result that somethingof an expansion joint is thus provided between the carrying profiles.Said expansion joint may be bridged by the centering elements (centeringrods), the latter being introduced, on the one hand, into a centeringchannel of one carryingprofile component and, on the other hand, into acorresponding centering channel of the other carrying-profile component.You are referred in this respect to FIG. 3, which indicates twocentering rods 16 which bridge an expansion joint 18 between twosuccessive carrying profiles 4 a and 4 b, which have been assembled witha gap between them, and ensure that the two carrying profiles are inalignment with one another in the conveying direction. of course, it isalso possible for the centering rods 16 to be designed to beconsiderably longer than is shown in FIG. 3. In this context, it shouldbe mentioned that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the running rail 6is longer than a single carrying-profile component and bridges theexpansion joint 18. It would also be possible for the securing profileto be designed to be longer than single carrying-profile components, inorder to bridge expansion joints between successive carrying-profilecomponents. In FIG. 3, however, two separate securing-profile components10 a and 10 b are provided, these being assembled with an expansionjoint between them which corresponds to the expansion joint 18.

The running rail 6 has an inclined running surface 20, on which one oftwo frustoconical running rollers 22 of the conveyable-article carrier 8runs. Furthermore, the conveyable-article carrier has an upwardlyprojecting protrusion 24 which engages behind a longitudinally extendingweb 26 of the securing profile 10, to secure against theconveyable-article carrier falling of, as mentioned above.

The running rail 6 has cross-sectionally hook-shaped protrusions 28 and30, which may extend over the entire length of the running rail 6 or,alternatively, may have a smaller extent, in the longitudinal directionof the running rail 6, than the length of said running rail. In thelatter case, it is possible for a plurality of hook protrusions 28 and30, which are preferably in alignment with one another in longitudinaldirection, to be arranged one behind the other along the running rail.According to FIG. 1, the running rail 6 is fitted into the carryingprofile 4, to be precise by means of the hook protrusion 28, 30, whichengage in corresponding lateral hook-in recesses 32 and 34 of thecarrying profile 4. In FIG. 2, the carrying profile 4 and the runningrail 6 are shown in the non-hooked-in state.

It is possible to provide securing means which secure the running rail 6against disengagement from the carrying profile. The securing elementshown in FIG. 1 is a bottom-engagement element 38 which is fastened onthe running rail 6 by means of a screw 36, engages beneath a portion 40of the carrying profile and thus prevents the running rail 6 from beingdisengaged.

The running rail 6 has an accommodating recess 42 for a drive-belt guide(in this case frictional-belt guide) 44 which is separate from therunning rail 6, the top and bottom boundaries of the accommodatingrecess 42 being designed such that the associated frictional-belt guide44 can be snap-fitted (and according to FIG. 1 has already beensnap-fitted) into the accommodating recess 42. Guided in thefrictional-belt guide 44 is a frictional belt 46 which cannot be seen indetail in FIG. 1 and on which the conveyable-article carrier 8 acts witha friction fit by way of a frictional surface 48, with the result thatthe driven frictional belt 46 carries along the conveyable-articlecarrier 8 along the conveying route. Alternatively, it would also bepossible for the drivebelt guide or frictional-belt guide 44 to beintegral with the running rail 6.

You are referred back to FIG. 3, in which a typical assembly situationis shown. The first carrying profile 4 a and the second carrying profile4 b are respectively mounted in each case on a fixed bearing 50, 52, onthe one hand, and, on the other hand, on a slide bearing, roller bearingor the like which allows compensation for a change in length. On accountof the fixed mounting on just one side and of the expansion joint 18between the two carrying-profile components, it is readily possible toaccommodate changes in length, which may be temperature-induced inparticular, without stressing being produced in the carrying-profilearrangement.

As far as the guidance of conveyable-article carriers 8 along theconveying route is concerned, the expansion joint 18 does not pose anyproblems since the running rail 6 bridges the expansion joint 18. Therunning rail 6 is mounted “in a floating manner”, by correspondingdesign of the hook protrusions 28 and 30 and the associated hook-inrecesses 32 and 34 and of all the other elements possibly involved inthe mounting and/or fastening of the running rail 6 on thecarrying-profile arrangement, such that compensation for a change inlength is possible between the carrying-profile arrangement 4, 4 a and 4b, on the one hand, and running rail 6, on the other hand. Such floatingmounting can easily be achieved in that the running rail or the runningrails can be displaced along the carrying-profile arrangement. This isalso the case in the situation according to FIG. 3; however, the runningrail 6 is secured on the carrying profile 4 b in a locallynon-displaceable manner at precisely one fastening location 50. Since,however, this is the only such fastening location, compensation for achange in length is still readily possible. For this compensation for achange in length, the running rail 6 has a free end 52 which, as isindicated at 54, can be changed in position in the longitudinaldirection of the running rail 6. Advantageously, according to FIG. 3,the free end of the running rail 6 is arranged in the region of adeflecting roller 56 which assumes the function of guiding theconveyablearticle carriers 8 from the running rail 6 and the securingprofile 10, with the result that there is no difficulty in changing theposition of the free end 52 as far as proper guidance of theconveyable-article carriers is concerned.

In order nevertheless to have conditions which are always defined, thecapacity for relative movement between the running rail 6 andcarrying-profile arrangement 4 is limited. For this purpose, thecarrying profile 4 a has a stub-like protrusion 58 which engages in aslot 60 which is located in the running rail 6 and extends in thelongitudinal direction of the running rail 6. Under normal conditions,the stub-like protrusion 58 will not strike against the longitudinallyspaced-apart ends of the slot 60; this will only occur in the case ofspecial conditions, for example of unexpectedly high temperaturesresulting in corresponding changes in length. The abovedescribedlimitation in the capacity for relative movement between the runningrail 6 and carrying-profile arrangement 4 is particularly advantageous,in particular, in so far as this makes it possible reliably to avoid thesituation where the free end 52 of the running rail 6, arranged in theregion of the deflecting roller 56, “runs into” the deflecting roller56, that is to say crosses the path thereof, with the result that properoperation of the conveying apparatus is always ensured. It isrecommended, during assembly of the running rail on the carrying-profilearrangement, for the stub-like protrusion 58 to be arrangedapproximately in the center of the slot 60, with the result that lengthcompensation in both directions is possible. In the case where the freeend of the running rail is arranged in the region of a deflecting roller(as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3), it is expedient for thecombination of stublike protrusion and slot to be provided in thevicinity of said free end.

As regards the fastening location 51, at which the running rail issecured on the carrying-profile arrangement in a locallynon-displaceable manner (the fastening can take place, for example, byscrew-connection), it should be added that said fastening location ispreferably provided in the region of a fixed bearing. This is also thecase with the situation according to FIG. 3; the fastening location 51is provided at the same longitudinal position as the fixed bearing 52.If, however, two separate, adjoining running-rail components 6a and 6bare provided along a conveying-route portion (cf. FIG. 4), then the tworunning rails are preferably provided in each case in the region of ajoint 62 between the adjacent, successive running-rail components 6 aand 6 b. The corresponding fastening locations 51 a for the running rail6 a and 51 b for the running rail 6 b are indicated in FIG. 4. However,if it is possible, as far as the assembly situation is concerned,without excessive outlay, the joint 62 should be provided together withthe fastening locations adjacent to the joint (in contrast to theassembly situation shown in FIG. 4) as far as possible in the region ofa fixed bearing.

Since the fastening locations 51 a and 51 b of the two abuttingrunning-rail components 6 a and 6 b are provided in close vicinity tothe joint 62, proper connection between the two running-rail components6 a and 6 b is always ensured, even in the case of changes intemperature which initiate changes in length. The changes in length ofthe running-rail components (absolute changes in length and relativechanges in length in relation to the carrying-profile arrangement) arethen accommodated in the direction of the ends opposite the joint (freeend 52 of the running rail 6 a) by corresponding relative displacementalong the carrying-profile arrangement. This prevents the situationwhere either the joint 62 is widened into a gap on account of acorresponding temperature profile or the two running-rail components 6 aand 6 b are pressed against one another by excessive forces at thejoint. Harmful stressing within the arrangement is thus avoided.

The deflecting roller 56, which is only indicated by dashed lines inFIG. 3, can be seen in detail in FIG. 5, which shows a view from above.While the carrying profiles and running rails of FIGS. 3 and 4correspond to the carrying profile 4 and the running rail 6 from FIG. 1,the running rail 6 and carrying profiles 4 a and 4 b, in the carryingand conveying arrangement 2 from FIG. 5, are designed in relation to oneanother such that the running rail 6 can be seen from above, that is tosay is not concealed in the upward direction by the carrying profilesand/or the securing profile. Otherwise, the arrangement from FIG. 5corresponds to the arrangement from FIG. 3, and it should also be addedthat the bearings 50, 52, 54 and 56 are only indicated schematically inboth figures and their arrangement in the figure leaves it open as towhether the carrying profiles are mounted in a downward, lateral orupward direction.

The designs shown of the carrying-profile arrangement, on the one hand,and of the running rail and/or of the running-rail arrangement, on theother hand, allow straightforward exchange of the running rails if, forexample, different conveyable-article carriers are to be used. Since thedrive-belt guide is arranged on the running rail or the running rails,an exchange of the drive belt which may be necessary in this context isalso readily possible. This means that a conveying apparatus which isconstructed from the elements described has a particularly securefuture.

For example, instead of the running-rail components 6 from FIG. 2, itwould be possible for the running-rail component 106 shown in FIG. 6 tobe provided on the carrying-profile arrangement. The hook protrusions128 and 130 and the running surface 120 correspond to the hookprotrusions 28 and 30 and the running surface 20 of the component 6.Instead of the recess 42 for the drive-belt guide 44 for the frictionalbelt 46, however, the running-rail component 106 has provided in it anaccommodating recess 142 for a drive-chain guide 144, in which a drivechain 146 is guided as a drive belt. The chain bears finger-likecarry-along elements 147 which act with a form fit on theconveyable-article carriers 8 and carry them along in the conveyingdirection. In order to control and/or indeed to allow accumulation ofthe conveyable-article carriers, it may be possible for the carry-alongfingers 147 to be swung over, for example to swing over automaticallywhen a predetermined opposing-force threshold is exceeded.

A further example of a running-rail component which can be assembled onthe carrying-profile arrangement instead of the running-rail component 6is shown in FIG. 7. The running-rail component 206 has, like therunning-rail components 6 and 106, the hook protrusions 228 and 230,which are coordinated with the hook-in recesses 32 and 34 of thecarrying-profile component 4, and the running surface 220, which iscoordinated with the running rollers 22 of the conveyable-articlecarrier 8. The accommodating recess 242 and the drive-chain guide 244correspond to the accommodating recess 142 and the drive-chain guide144. Instead of the drive chain 146, however, there is provided a drivechain 246 which serves likewise as a drive belt and, instead of thecarry-along fingers 147, bears a continuous frictional belt 249extending along the chain or a plurality of individual frictionalelements, for example one frictional element per chain link. As in thecase of FIG. 1, the conveyablearticle carrier 8 acts on the frictionalbelt 249, or on one of the frictional elements, by way of its frictionalsurface 48 and is carried along with a friction fit by the drive belt246, 249. The drive belt in the sense of the above nomenclature is thusto be understood as the drive chain 246 together with the frictionalbelt 249 fastened thereon or together with the plurality of frictionalelements 249 fastened thereon.

Such a design of the drive belt 246, 249 has the great advantage thatthe drive belt can be driven, on the one hand, with a form fit, forexample by means of corresponding gearwheels or the like engaging in thechain links, with the result that no slippage occurs here and, inparticular, it is also easy to control changes in the drive-belt lengthwhich are induced by changes in temperature. Despite this form-fittingdrive of the drive belt, on the other hand, the conveyablearticlecarriers 8 are carried along with a friction fit, which is advantageousin terms of straightforwardly controlling and/or allowing theaccumulation of conveyable-article carriers 8 along a conveying routedespite the drive belt continuing to run. Merely providing justfriction-fit engagement between conveyable-article carriers 8 and drivebelt 46 or 246, 249 results in the relevant conveying apparatus actuallybeing capable of accumulation since the drive belt can move along thefrictional surfaces of the conveyable-article carriers when the latterare held in an accumulated arrangement. In order to reducefriction-induced wear, it is possible, in the case of an accumulation,for the friction-fit engagement between the conveyable-article carriersand the drive belt to be eliminated, for example, by means of spreadingapparatuses known from EP 0 623 497 B1.

That solution for the drive belt which is proposed in FIG. 7 thuscombines, at it were, the best of both worlds, that is to say theoperations of the drive belt being driven with a form fit and of theconveyable-article carriers being carried along with a friction fit.This idea, which can also be used advantageously in the case of carryingprofiles with an integrated running rail, also has independentimportance outside the invention explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to6 and should be afforded protection independently of said invention.

To summarize, the invention relates to a conveying apparatus, inparticular overhead conveying apparatus, for transporting conveyablearticles along at least one conveying route. The conveying apparatuscomprises a carrying-profile arrangement which extends along theconveying route and has a running-rail arrangement for guidingconveyable-article carriers. It is proposed that at least one runningrail of the running-rail arrangement be designed as a running-railcomponent which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement and ismounted in a floating manner on the carrying-profile arrangement suchthat, at least in certain areas, it can compensate for a change inlength by moving relative to the carrying-profile arrangement.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveying apparatus, in particular overheadconveying apparatus, for transporting conveyable articles along at leastone conveying route (2), comprising a carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4a, 4 b) which extends along the conveying route and has a running-railarrangement (6) for guiding conveyablearticle carriers (8) at least onerunning rail (6) of the running-rail arrangement being designed as arunning-rail component (6) which is separate from the carrying-profilearrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b), extends along carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b) ofthe carrying-profile arrangement and is mounted in a floating manner onsaid profiles such that, at least in certain areas, it can compensatefor a change in length by moving relative to the carrying profiles, therunning-rail component (6) bridging at least one expansion joint (18)between adjacent carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b) of the carrying profilearrangement.
 2. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the running-rail component (6), which is mountedon the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b), has at least one freeend (52) which can be moved relative to the carrying-profile arrangementin order to compensate for—in particulartemperature-induced—fluctuations in length of the running-rail component(6) and/or of the at least one carrying profile (4 a, 4 b) of thecarrying-profile arrangement.
 3. The conveying apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, characterized in that the free end is arranged in the region ofa corner-turning deflecting drum (56) for the conveyable-articlecarriers (8) or of a transfer arrangement for transferring theconveyable-article carriers (8) from a first conveying route to a secondconveying route.
 4. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the running-rail component (6) has at least onefirst engagement portion (60), which is in form-fitting engagement withan associated first mating engagement portion (58) of one of thecarrying profiles (4 a, 4 b) in order to limit an—in particulartemperature-induced—relative movement between the running-rail component(6) and the carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b).
 5. The conveying apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the running-rail component (6)is secured on one of the carrying profiles (4, 4 a, 4 b) in a locallynon-displaceable manner at precisely one fastening location (51).
 6. Theconveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that therunning-rail component (6) has at least one second engagement portion(28, 30), which is in, or can be brought into, form-fitting engagementwith an associated second mating engagement portion (32, 34) of thecarrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 7. The conveying apparatusas claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the second engagementportion (28, 30) and the second mating engagement portion (32, 34) makeit possible for the running-rail component (6) to be fitted into thecarrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 8. The conveying apparatusas claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the fitted-in running-railcomponent (6) is, or can be, secured against disengagement by means of abottom-engagement element (38) which engages beneath an associatedportion (40) of the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 9. Theconveying arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that therunning-rail component has an integrated guide for a drive belt, inparticular frictional belt, which is guided along the running rail andserves for carrying along conveyable-article carriers.
 10. The conveyingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the running-railcomponent has an integrated fastening arrangement (42) for fastening aseparate guide (44) for a drive belt, in particular frictional belt(46), which is guided along the running rail (6) and serves for carryingalong conveyable-article carriers (8).
 11. The conveying apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that, at least in certain areasalong the conveying route, the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4b) has a securing arrangement (10, 10 a, l0 b) for securing theconveying-article carriers (8) against tilting out of a carry-alongposition relative to the running-rail arrangement (6) and/or forsecuring the conveyable-article carriers against falling off therunning-rail arrangement (6), the securing arrangement (10, 10 a, 10 b)comprising at least one securing-profile component (10, 10 a, 10 b)which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b)and the running-rail arrangement (6) and is fastened releasably, inparticular is mounted in a floating manner, on the carrying-profilearrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 12. The conveying apparatus as claimed inclaim 11, characterized in that the securing-profile component (10, l0a, 10 b) has at least one feature of the running-rail component (6) asclaimed in one of claims 1 to
 8. 13. The conveying arrangement asclaimed in claim 11, characterized in that the securing-profilecomponent (10, 10 a, 10 b) is, or can be, latched to thecarrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 14. The conveying apparatusas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that provided as drive belt is adrive chain (246) which can be driven with a form fit and bears at leastone frictional element (249) for carrying along conveyable-articlecarriers (8) along the conveying route (2) with a friction fit.
 15. Theconveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thesecuring-profile componet (10,10 a, 10 b) has at least one furtherfeature of the running-rail componet (6) as claimed in one of claims 1to
 8. 16. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that securing-profile componet (10, 10 a, 10 b) is, or can be,latched to the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b).
 17. Aconveying apparatus, in particular overhead conveying apparatus, fortransporting conveyable articles along at least one conveying route (2),comprising a carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b) which extendsalong the conveying route and has a running-rail arrangement (6) forguiding conveyable-article carriers (8), the carrying-profilearrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b) having, at least in certain areas along theconveying route, a securing arrangement (10, 10 a, 10 b) for securingthe conveying-article carriers (8) against tilting out of a carry-alongposition relative to the running-rail arrangement (6) and/or forsecuring the conveyable-article carriers against falling off therunning-rail arrangement (6), the securing arrangement (10, 10 a, 10 b)comprising at least one securing-profile component (10, 10 a, 10 b)which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b)and the running-rail arrangement (6), extends along carrying profiles (4a, 4 b) of the carrying-profile arrangement (4, 4 a, 4 b) and isfastened releasably on said carrying profiles and, besides, is mountedin a floating manner such that, at least in certain areas, it cancompensate for a change in length by moving relative to the carryingprofiles, the securing-profile component (10) bridging at least oneexpansion joint (18) between adjacent carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b) ofthe carrying-profile arrangement.
 18. The conveying apparatus as claimedin claim 12, characterized in that the securing-profile component (10)has at least one first engagement portion, which is in form-fittingengagement with an associated first mating engagement portion of one ofthe carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b) in order to limit an—in particulartemperature-induced—relative movement between the securing-profilecomponent (10) and the carrying profiles (4 a, 4 b).
 19. The conveyingapparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that thesecuring-profile component (10) is secured on one of the carryingprofiles (4 a, 4 b) in a locally non-displaceable manner at preciselyone fastening location.